Kinderhook West Pike High School “Cardinals”

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
WEST PIKE HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING – KINDERHOOK / SUBMITTED BY FRANK CALDWELL
The History of Kinderhook West Pike High School

Kinderhook (population 249) is located in northwestern Pike County, just 10 miles east of the Mississippi River in the western portion of Illinois. Three Illinois Routes (57, 96, & 106) intersect in Kinderhook. A town of note in the area is Quincy, just 20 miles to the northwest of Kinderhook. The Norfolk & Western Railroad makes its way through Kinderhook as well.

Hull (population 474) is located at the intersection of Illinois Routes 106 and 96 in western Illinois’ Pike County.  Interstate Highway 72 has an exit for Hull also.  Hull is located eight miles east of the Mississippi River, close enough to feel the effects of a bad flood (and they have!).  A branch of the Walnut Creek cuts through town as does a line of the Norfolk & Western Railroad.  Quincy is located about 15 miles northwest of Hull.  Hull is probably named after early settlers of the same last name.

New Canton (population 417) is located in far western Illinois in the northwestern portion of Pike County.  The town is located about 12 miles southeast of Hannibal, Missourri.  Illinois Route 96 is the main roadway through New Canton.  The Kiser Creek flows to the east of town.  The Mississippi River is both six miles west and six miles south of New Canton.

All three towns once supported their own high schools and have individual pages on this website which can be viewed by “clicking” on each town’s name.  It was between the years of 1947 and 1949 that plans were finalized for the three high schools to be consolidated into one.  This effort was realized in 1949 with the creation of the West Pike School District. The first Superintendent of the district was Colman Winn followed by Harry Hall in 1951-52. The first Principal was John Codd, popular long-time principal of New Canton H.S.

The high school for West Pike would be located in Kinderhook.  The towns of Hull and New Canton would host grade schools for the new distict in their respective towns.  West Pike School District lasted for nearly six decades. Declining enrollment led to consolidation talks with the school district’s neighbor, Barry. These talks were realized in the spring of 2007 with the creation of the Barry Western School District, thus bringing to a close the history of Kinderhook West Pike High School.

The West Pike High School building continues to serve the area as a junior high school for the Barry Western School District.

Kinderhook West Pike High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                                  1949

Year closed:                                   2007

Consolidated to:                              Barry Western School District

School team nickname:                   the “Cardinals”

School team uniform colors:             Red & White

School Fight Song:                          “On Ole West Pike”

Sung to the tune “ON WISCONSIN”

Submitted by “Deb”
ATHLETICS

West Pike High School enjoyed some incredible success in the sport of boys basketball.  The school also competed in football, cross country, track, and possibly baseball for boys.  The girls competed in basketball, cross country, volleyball, track, and possibly softball.  We are searching for the school’s team nickname(s), uniform colors, season records, coach’s names, and any other items of interest regarding the athletic program of West Pike High.

Kinderhook Wst Pike Gym 2014 – Capacity 985
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Photo by Bruce Firchau
Kinderhook West Pike Gymnasium 2014
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Photo by Bruce Firchau

BOYS BASKETBALL

One season marked the ultimate success for this small school in Illinois’ far-western portion.  The boys of 1993-94 earned a THIRD PLACE FINISH in the IHSA Class ‘A’ State Tournament!!  There were several other great teams which graced the courts of West Pike High as well.  The many great seasons are outlined below as listed on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org).   Some scores involving West Pike High School in the IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores are posted below as found.

1949-50                  Quincy Regional Tournament       Coach Boyd Roberts

Season Record Needed

Regional Scores

1st Rd Beat Quincy Notre Dame 52-45

Semi-final lost to Quincy HS 54-28

Quincy won Regional over Payson

Quincy lost in Elite 8 Round

  —–  

1950-51                  Barry Regional Tournament          Coach Dick Heitholt

Season Record Needed

Regional Scores

1st Rd Beat Pearl 56-49

Semi-final lost to Griggsville 43-28

Griggsville beat Pittsfield in title game

Griggsville lost in Sectional

  —–  

1951-52                  Quincy Regional Tournament       Coach Dick Heitholt

Season Record Needed

Regional Scores

1st Rd Beat Liberty 79-36

Semi-final lost to Quincy N.D. 60-46

Quincy won Regional over QND

Quincy lost to Hebron in IHSA Title Game

  —–  

1952-53                  Barry Regional Tournament          Coach Dick Heitholt

Season Record Needed

Regional Scores

1st Rd Beat Liberty 50-41

Semi-final lost to Quincy HS 50-38

Quincy won Regional over Quincy ND

Quincy lost in Sectional Round

  —– 

1953-54                  Kinderhook Regional Tourney       Coach Dick Heitholt

Season Record Needed

Regional Scores

1st Rd lost to Mendon Unity 48-46

Semi-final Unity lost to Quincy N.D.

Quincy won Regional over QND

Quincy lost in Elite 8 Rd

  —–  

1954-55                  Quincy Regional Tournament       Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Mendon Unity 72-58

Unity lost to Quincy in semi-final

Quincy beat QND in title game

Quincy lost in Elite 8 Rd.

  —–  

1955-56                  Quincy Regional Tournament       Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Quincy 95-35

Quincy beat QND in title game

Quincy lost in Elite 8 Rd.

  —–  

1956-57                  Barry Regional Tournament       Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Quincy 96-51

Quincy lost to QND in title game

Quincy ND placed 4th in IHSA Tourney

  —–  

1957-58                  Kinderhook Regional Tourney       Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Quincy ND 57-30

Quincy lost in Sweet 16 Rd

  —–  

1958-59                  Quincy Regional Tournament       Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Quincy 92-51

Quincy lost to QND in title game

Quincy lost in Sectional Rd

  —–  

1959-60                  Quincy Regional Tournament       Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Quincy 69-53

Quincy beat Quincy Christian Brothers in title game

Quincy lost in Sectional Rd

  —–  

1960-61   22 – 2      Quincy Regional Tournament       Coach Pitney

(Great Regular Season Record)

1st Rd Beat Liberty 68-55

Semi-final lost to Quincy 56-43

Quincy beat Quincy C.B. for title

Quincy lost in Sectional

  —–  

1961-62   18 – 7      Quincy Regional Tournament       Coach Schuman

1st Rd Beat Mendon Unity 57-53

Semi-final lost to Quincy C.B. 81-51

Quincy beat Quincy C.B. for title

Quincy placed 3rd in IHSA State Tourney

  —–  

1962-63   14 – 11    Quincy Regional Tournament       Coach Schuman

1st Rd lost to Quincy 127-37

Quincy beat Quincy C.B. for title

Quincy lost in Sectional

  —–  

1963-64   16 – 10    Quincy Regional Tournament       Coach Schuman

1st Rd lost to Camp Point Central 73-55

Quincy beat Camp Point Central for title

Quincy lost inSectional

  —–  

1964-65   12 – 12    Quincy Regional Tournament       Coach Schuman

1st Rd lost to Payson 46-45

Payson lost to Camp Point Central in semi-final

Quincy beat Camp Point Central for title

Quincy placed 2nd in IHSA State Tourney 

    —–  

1965-66   13 – 11    Postseason scores needed          Coach Schuman

1966-67     9 – 16    Postseason scores needed          Coach Schuman

     —–  

1967-68   15 – 10    Quincy Regional Tournament       Coach Barnes

1st Rd lost to Quincy 90-47

Quincy beat Quincy C.B. for title

Quincy lost in Sweet 16 Rd.

  —–  

1968-69   18 – 8      Quincy Regional Tournament       Coach Barnes

1st Rd lost to Quincy 115-38

Quincy beat Quincy C.B. for title

Quincy lost in Sweet 16 Rd.

  —–  

1969-70   24 – 2      Quincy Regional Tournament       Coach Bob Moore

Great Regular Season Record

1st Rd Beat Payson Seymour 73-41

Semi-final lost to Quincy C.B. 83-47

Quincy C.B. beat Quincy for title

Quincy C.B. lost in Sectional

  —–  

1970-71   19 – 6      Quincy Regional Tournament       Coach Ralph Hallam

1st Rd lost to Quincy 76-54

Quincy lost to Quincy Catholic Boys in title game

Quincy Cath. Boys lost in Sweet 16 Rd.

  —–  

1971-72   16 – 9      Mt. Sterling Class ‘A’ Regional      Coach Ralph Hallam

1st Rd lost to Barry 58-51

Barry lost to Quincy Cath Boys in semi-final

QCB beat Camp Point Central in title game

QCB lost in Elite 8 Rd.

  —–  

1972-73   25 – 1      (GREAT RECORD)                       Coach Chuck Behrle

Undefeated Regular Season

Postseason scores needed

  —–  

1973-74   15 – 10    Postseason scores needed           Coach Chuck Behrle

1974-75   15 – 10    Postseason scores needed           Coach Chuck Behrle

1975-76     3 – 20    Postseason scores needed           Coach Cook

1976-77     6 – 10    Postseason scores needed           Coach Cook

1977-78     3 – 21    Postseason scores needed           Coach Behyner

1978-79     7 – 18    Postseason scores needed           Coach Weiting

1979-80     5 – 20    Postseason scores needed           Coach Weiting

1980-81     3 – 21    Postseason scores needed           Coach Schone

1981-82     3 – 21    Postseason scores needed           Coach Schone

1982-83     3 – 21    Postseason scores needed           Coach Schone

1983-84     3 – 21    Postseason scores needed           Coach Schone

1984-85     6 – 17    Postseason scores needed           Coach Schone

1985-86     8 – 14    Postseason scores needed           Coach Schone

1986-87     7 – 15    Postseason scores needed           Coach Schone

1987-88   13 – 13    Postseason scores needed           Coach Eberlin

1988-89   13 – 13    Postseason scores needed           Coach Speas

1989-90   15 – 12    Postseason scores needed           Coach Steve Joslyn

1990-91   16 – 11    Postseason scores needed           Coach Steve Joslyn

1991-92   18 – 7      Postseason scores needed           Coach Steve Joslyn

  —–  

1992-93   24 – 2      (GREAT RECORD)                       Coach Steve Joslyn

                               Postseason scores needed

  —–  

1993-94   28 – 1      IHSA Regional Champions         Coach Steve Joslyn
Undefeated Regular Season

Regional Scores Needed

IHSA Sectional Qualifier

Sectional Scores Needed

  —–  

1994-95   32 – 2      IHSA Class ‘A’ THIRD PLACE!!  Coach Steve Joslyn

IHSA Payson Regional Champions

Semi-Final Beat Payson Seymor 82-56

Title Game Beat Quincy Notre Dame 78-49

IHSA Lewistown Sectional Champions

Semi-Final Beat Beardstown 59-40

Title Game Beat Lewistown 70-53

Super-Sectional Champions

Beat Carrollton 68-51

Elite 8 Finalist

Beat Stewardson-Strasburg 86-64

Final 4 Finalist

Lost to Normal U-High 91-67

(U-High Won State Championship)

IHSA State Tourney Consolation Game Finalist

 Beat Rock Island Alleman 74-70

West Pike HS IHSA Class ‘A’ 3rd Place 1995
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Photo by Bruce Firchau

1995-96   20 – 9      Postseason scores needed           Coach Lee Bennett

1996-97   16 – 12    Postseason scores needed           Coach Doug Eledge

1997-98   18 – 11    Postseason scores needed           Coach Andy Waggoner

1998-99   18 – 12    Postseason scores needed           Coach Andy Waggoner

1999-00   12 – 16    Postseason scores needed           Coach Kirk Mosley

2000-01   14 – 15    Postseason scores needed           Coach Kirk Mosley

2001-02   20 – 10    Postseason scores needed           Coach Kirk Mosley

2002-03   19 – 12    Postseason scores needed           Coach Kirk Mosley

2003-04     8 – 18    Postseason scores needed           Coach Kirk Mosley

2004-05   10 – 16    Postseason scores needed           Coach Greg Fraizer

  —–  

West Pike’s final solo season.

  —–  

*School co-opted boys basketball with Barry until consolidation of 2007.

IHSA State Basketball Records Held By WEST PIKE HIGH SCHOOL:

* #1 All-Time – Most 3-Point Field Goals Made in State Final Appearance – Kirk Mosely (8 made) versus Normal U-High 1994-95.

* #1 All-Time – Most 3-Point Field Goals Made in State Final Appearance – Team – (12 made) versus Normal U-High 1994-95.

* #32 All-Time – Most 3-Point FGs attempted – game (15) –  Kirk Mosley –  Kinderhook (West Pike) vs. Normal (University), March 11, 1995 (state semifinal)

* #70 All-Time – Total Coaching Wins – 499 – Ralph Hallan, Kinderhook (West Pike), Assumption, Varna (Mid-County) (499-193).

Kinderhook West Pike Gymnasium 2014
A basketball court with a basketball hoop Description automatically generated with low confidence
Photo by Bruce Firchau

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

One female trackster from West Pike earned a medal at the IHSA State Class ‘A’ Track Meet.  This feat was accomplished in 1996 by Catie Borrowman  who placed FIFTH in the 400 meter dash!

1995-96   Individual Medalist – Catie Borrowman     400 Meter Dash     5TH Place!!

  ———————————————  

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

One harrier for the boys earned All-State honors in 1980.  Jon Hanes  placed 22ND in the IHSA Class ‘A’ State Cross Country Meet!!

1980-81   Individual Medalist – Jon Hanes    22ND Place!!

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS COMPETITION

In the “English Department”, the West Pike kids had a nice run in the mid to late 1960s as well.  As a team, the school won a total of three District titles. One individual, Benida Pryor, earned an individual medal in 1957 while competing in the “verse” category, placing 4TH that year!!

1957    Individual Medalist – Benida Pryor  “Verse”  4TH Place!!

1964-65          District Champions
1966-67          District Champions
1967-68          District Champions

  —————————————–  

MEMORIES

Dick Heitholt, one of first coaches at WPHS, recalls early successes in basketball and baseball:

“The 50-51 basketball  team featured Max Hopper (Hannibal Lagrange College), Gene Maddox, Sam Thompson, Norman Mayes and Truman Hazelrigg who won over 20 games -2nd in Winchester Tourney..

The 53-54 Pike County Conference Champs featured Dick Thompson, John Brinkman, Kent Sprague, Fred Tittsworth and George Harbison in basketball.

In baseball, Fred Tittsworth (Western Ill U.) was one of great hitters in West Pike History and Kent Sprague was outstanding pitcher.  Defeating Pittsfield was a basketball highlight.

The first two years of West Pike found games contested in the old Kinderhook gym with furnaces in two corners of gym. The new school and gym opened in 1952.

I am very grateful for the start I had there with the great people and students of Pike County.”

**Coach Heitholt would later coach at Carlyle and Pittsfield high schools.  He also served as Principal at Pittsfield H.S. as well as Quincy Sr. High School.

  —————————————

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION TO SHARE….

…regarding your experience at West Pike High School please write to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.   Any information is welcome to be added to this page.  The “quick facts” info and a photo of the high school building are especially needed.  You can mail items to us at the following address as well:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il.   60631
 
 
 
     


  1. Pingback: Mascots and Nicknames – Illinois High School Glory Days

  2. My dad played basketball for W. Pike many years ago, possibly late 40s, early 50s. Eugene Maddox. Evidently they were pretty good. After his passing, I sent some yearbooks and photos to W. Pike Historical Society, so there is some info there.

    Reply

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